The project to improve safety and access along Highway 1 through the Lower Lynn Corridor, just north of the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing is moving forward with the contract now tendered for the new, $36 million Mountain Highway Interchange.

“This interchange upgrade, combined with the District of North Vancouver’s $14 million Keith Bridge and Keith Road expansion, will improve safety and start to reduce travel times at one of the Lower Mainland’s worst traffic bottlenecks,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone. “I’m looking forward to seeing construction start on the Lower Lynn Interchanges Improvement project, designed to benefit all users of the road while promoting growth and building strong, prosperous communities across B.C.”

This tender package involves building a new interchange with additional ramps where Mountain Highway intersects with Highway 1, reducing congestion and providing an alternative to the east-west and north-south routes on the North Shore. The tender is now posted on BC Bid and the Province expects to select the contractor this spring.

“The province has been investing in transportation infrastructure projects that strengthen the economy and build a strong B.C. for today, and tomorrow,” said Jane Thornthwaite, MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour. “Thanks to the strong relationship with our federal and municipal partners, we’re able to improve the safety, efficiency and traffic flow along one of the busiest stretches of Highway 1 through North Vancouver.”

The construction of the Mountain Highway Interchange is the first phase of the $198 million, four-phased Lower Lynn Interchanges Improvement project. Construction is expected to begin later this spring. When completed in 2021, the Lower Lynn Corridor Interchanges Improvement project will improve traffic flow through North Vancouver and on Highway 1 to access BC Ferries and the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Squamish and Whistler.

The ministry continues to work collaboratively with the community and all stakeholders involved in the project as the design is finalized and as the project moves into the construction phase. The public is welcome to learn more about the project at two information sessions scheduled for Feb. 21 and 25, 2017.

Quick Facts:

• The four-phased Lower Lynn Interchanges Improvement Project is expected to create about 600 jobs over the course of construction.
• The $198 million project is being cost-shared, with the Province of B.C. contributing $76.7 million, the Government of Canada contributing $66.6 million and the District of North Vancouver providing $54.7 million.
• Phase 1, the $50 million Mountain Highway Interchange project, includes $36 million for a new interchange with the Province contributing $23.5 million, the Government of Canada providing $12.5 million and $14 million being contributed by the District of North Vancouver for the Keith Road and Keith Bridge expansion component.

Learn More:

Highway 1- Lower Lynn Improvements Project website: http://gov.bc.ca/lowerlynninterchanges

Follow the work of the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure online: www.tranbc.ca